All about Parque Científico Tecnológico in Yucatán

About halfway between Mérida and Progreso is the huge Parque Científico Tecnológico de Yucatán (Yucatan Science and Technology Park).

The Science Park was established as a center to promote science and the development of technologies related to fossil and alternative energies, technologies for sustainability and other technologies.

It also includes leading academic institutions such as the Autonomous University of Mexico, renewable energy companies, institutions and laboratories.

The museum

Since 2014, there has been a museum open to the public and free of charge on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the facility's library. It informs about an event that changed the history of the Earth 66 million years ago.

We are talking about the impact of the meteorite that hit the sea just a few kilometers away from Chicxulub. 75% of the plant and animal species became extinct on Earth at that time. The extinction of the dinosaurs can also be traced back to this.

In the museum you will also learn about the regional impact, such as the so-called "ring of cenotes" formed due to the meteorite impact on the Yucatan Peninsula, and your kids can even have their picture taken with a scale model of a dinosaur.

Exhibition halls

There are four exhibition halls in the museum: on the lower floor in the room "The Universe and the Solar System" there is a replica of the "Apollo 11" capsule and you can learn about the constellations.

In the room, "Chicxulub, Impact Crater", the impact of the meteorite is described and you can also see mammal fossils and dinosaur footprints.

Upstairs is a room on "Biodiversity, Evolution, Mass Extinction," with life-size models of animals that live in other parts of the world, such as lions, monkeys and penguins.

The fourth room, "Yucatan, Natural Environment" is about the formation of the cenotes and flora and fauna of the region. You can also see replicas of a cave and a cenote.

How do you get to Parque Científico?

The park is easily accessible by car. You first drive on highway 261 towards Progreso and then about half way to Progreso at Tamanché you take the exit towards Sierra Papacal/Kikteil and turn right on the Carr. Mérida - Progreso - Sierra Papacal. Then follow the road until you reach your destination.